House GOP picks a new leader

Domino’s franchisee to lead chamber’s Republicans

DENVER – House Republicans elected a new leader Thursday, Rep. Brian DelGrosso of Loveland.

DelGrosso fills a vacancy created when House Minority Leader Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, stepped down to run for attorney general. Waller will remain in the Legislature.

DelGrosso, 40, owns three Domino’s Pizza franchises in northern Colorado. He was elected by a vacancy committee in 2009 and has served four sessions in the House, including two as chairman of the House Finance Committee.

DelGrosso said he was humbled to be elevated to the post by his fellow GOP House members, and he wants to restore his party to the majority.

Democrats have a 38-27 advantage in the House and used their majority this year to pass bills on in-state tuition for students without legal permission to be in the county, civil unions for same-sex couples, gun control and a reform of the school-funding system – all of which most Republicans opposed.

“It was never more evident than last year that elections have consequences,” DelGrosso said.

He said the House GOP agenda for 2014 will be to correct “onerous” bills Democrats passed this year, promote the economy and budget wisely.